The UFC has booked a key bantamweight clash for their UFC on Fox 9 card in Sacramento on December 14.

Not surprisingly, “The California Kid” Urijah Faber will be prominently featured as the veteran will have a tough homecoming bout against talented youngster Michael McDonald in the co-main event. This fight has the potential to be an explosive one between two highly-ranked fighters within the 135-pound division.

Faber is fresh off a victory over Yuri Alcantara at UFC Fight Night 26, while McDonald was also a victor at that event in Boston as he submitted Brad Pickett and earned Submission of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses.

Both fighters have had failed title opportunities against current interim bantamweight champ RenanBarao, and are hoping to work their way back for another title shot. Faber dropped a five-round decision at UFC 149 against Barao, while McDonald was submitted by Barao in the fourth round of their fight in London, England.

Faber has had a remarkable career dating back to his WEC days, and his only losses in the UFC have come against champions. He’s looked impressive in recording three straight victories since that loss to Barao.

McDonald definitely represents a significant threat to Faber with his ability to finish opponents. “Mayday” has recorded 14 stoppages in his 16 career wins, and still has a tremendous future ahead of him at the age of 22. He has tremendous power, as shown in the Pickett fight when he had the veteran staggering around the cage after landing some massive punches.

McDonald believes he learned a great deal from the loss to Barao and that it’s made him a better fighter moving forward.

There’s nothing that Faber hasn’t seen during his illustrious career, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down as he continues to exhibit tremendous cardio and dangerous submission skills. Team Alpha Male has been on a tremendous surge of late with team members recording victory after victory, and Faber will try to add to that run of success.

McDonald knows that another stellar performance and a victory over a marquee name like Faber would vault him back to the top for another potential title shot. It’s a fight with plenty at stake, and based upon the track records of both competitors, it promises to deliver plenty of action.